Wood Variation: Its Causes and Control(Springer Series in Wood Science)

Wood is the usual end product of a forestry operation. Because of its importance, numerous studies have been made relative to wood prop- erties, the causes of wood variation, and how best to develop wood for desired products. There is voluminous literature related to these subjects, but it is neither well known nor appreciated by foresters because the publications are often not available or are not well understood by the forester or by those who use the wood. Frequently, the literature is confusing and contradictory, making it difficult for the nonspecialist to use what information is available. In order to produce and use wood efficiently, the variation pat- terns within trees, among trees within species, and among species must be understood. This also requires some knowledge of the causes of variation and the effects of different wood properties upon utiliza- tion. The information about variation patterns, their causes, and con- trol and effect upon the product must be known by the tree grower, the tree breeder, and the tree harvester as well as by those who ultimately convert wood into a final, salable product.

Table of Contents:
1 Wood Variation and Wood Properties.- 1.1 What Is Wood?.- 1.2 Kinds of Trees and the Wood Produced by Them.- 1.3 Important Wood Properties.- 1.4 Wood Specific Gravity (Wood Density).- 1.5 Cell Length.- 1.6 Other Wood Characteristics.- 1.7 Cell Chemistry.- 1.8 Factors Controlling Wood Properties.- 1.9 Different Woody Tissues.- 1.10 Relationships Among Wood Properties.- 1.11 The Literature Related to Wood Variation.- 2 The Effect of Provenance Variation and Exotic Plantations on Wood Properties.- 2.1 The Effect of Differing Environments on Wood Properties.- 2.2 Provenance Variation in Wood from Natural Stands Within the Range of a Species.- 2.3 Wood Variation Related to Species and Provenance in Plantation-Grown Trees.- 2.4 Wood Properties of Trees Grown as Exotics.- 3 Variation Within and Among Ttees.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Tree to Tree Variability.- 3.3 Variation of Wood Properties Within Trees.- 3.4 The Juvenile Wood Concept.- 3.5 Variation from the Tree Center to the Bark.- 3.6 Variation from the Base to the Top of the Tree.- 3.7 The Effect of Total Tree Age on Wood.- 4 Wood Property Variation as Related to Tree Form and Reaction Wood.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Wood Properties Associated with Poor Tree Form.- 4.3 Reaction Wood.- 4.4 Methods to Improve Tree Form.- 5 The Effect of Growth Rate on Wood Properties.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Growth Rate and Wood Specific Gravity in Conifers.- 5.3 Growth Rate and Wood Specific Gravity in Hardwoods..- 5.4 Summary of Growth Rate Effects on Specific Gravity.- 5.5 Cell Characteristics and Growth Rate.- 5.6 Growth Rate and Aesthetic Qualities of Wood.- 5.7 Practical Application of Wood Changes Caused by Growth Rate Differences.- 6 Wood Properties Affected by Environmental, Biological, and Other External Agencies.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Effect of Site, Soil, and Climate on Wood Properties.- 6.3 Moisture Availability and Wood Properties.- 6.4 Miscellaneous Biological Factors that Affect Wood Properties.- 6.5 Unusual Causes for Wood Variability.- 6.6 Growth Stresses and Strains in Tree Stems.- 7 The Effect of Silvicultural Practices on Wood Properties.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Effect of Nutrient Differences and Fertilization on Wood.- 7.3 Tree Spacing and Wood Properties.- 7.4 Effect of Pruning on Wood.- 7.5 Planting Techniques and Wood Properties.- 7.6 Resin Tapping, Resin Induction, and Wood Properties.- 7.7 Wood Properties of Coppice and Root Sprouts.- 8 Control of Wood Properties by Breeding.- 8.1 Genetics of Wood Properties.- 8.2 Genetic Control of Wood Specific Gravity.- 8.3 Genetic Control of Wood Properties Other than Specific Gravity.- 8.4 Interrelationships Among Traits.- 8.5 Controlling Wood Properties by Breeding.- 8.6 Summary.- 9 Future Importance of Knowing and Manipulating Wood Variability.- 9.1 General Concepts.- 9.2 The Need for Wood Improvement.- 9.3 Wood Properties Related to Product Quality — The Future.- 9.4 Nonconventional Wood Products.- 9.5 Summary.- References.- Species Index.